Winter Storm Preparedness

Jan 03, 2018

Winter storms, blizzards and the occasional loss of electricity associated with them, can catch even the most seasoned South Dakotan by surprise.

Before an emergency leaves your home, ranch or farmstead without electricity, have a plan in place, said John Keimig, SDSU Extension 4-H Associate.

When crafting a plan, Keimig encouraged folks to consider devising a plan for the following three stages:

Stage one, preparation (before the storm);
Stage two, survival (during the storm) and
Stage three, recovery (after the storm).

Stage 1: Preparation

During the preparation stage, create an emergency kit and have your children help gather supplies to build your kit.

"Engaging your children in the process, allows them to feel empowered and may help bring a sense of relief knowing there is a plan in place," Keimig said.

If you have access to a generator, use an extension cord that allows the generator to remain at least 20 feet from any door, window or vent. Also, make plans for how you can avoid driving.

Emergency Supply List:

Food & Water: 3-Day supply of non-perishable food (dried fruit, canned tuna, peanut butter, etc.). At least a gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and hygiene.
Utensils: Can opener, paper plates, plastic cups & utensils, paper towels.
First Aid Kit: Prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter medications) and medical supplies.
Sanitation Supplies: Supplies for sanitation, such as hand sanitizer, towelettes, paper products, diapers, and plastic bags (for use when water resources are limited).
Blankets & Clothing: Extra clothing, blankets, and sleeping bags.
Electronics: Flashlight with extra batteries. Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio with extra batteries.

Stage 2: Survival

During the survival stage, stay inside and avoid driving as much as possible.

If the power goes out, here are a few easy steps to take:

Close off unused rooms to consolidate and conserve heat.
Dress in layers to keep warm during power loss.
Bring pets inside that do not have adequate shelter.
Limit time outdoors. And, if you are outside, dress for the weather and avoid frostbite.
Do not use the stove to try to heat your home.
Never use generators, outdoor heating or cooking equipment to try to heat your home. These use oxygen and can give off harmful carbon monoxide.
If you must drive, keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle. Visit this link for information on what you should pack in this kit.

Stage 3: Recovery

If the power is out for very long, many communities will set up warming shelters. Consider going to them. If you do not have enough supplies, consider going to the community shelter. If you must go outside, dress warm and avoid prolonged exposure to cold and wind to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

When the power comes back on there will be other things to consider, such as your refrigerator and freezer contents. Visit this link to learn more about food safety after electricity outages.

Source: igrow

Video: The Investment Opportunities of Industrial Hemp

The fledgling U.S. hemp industry is decades behind countries like Canada, France and China, but according to impact investor and this week’s podcast guest, Pierre Berard, it could flourish into a $2.2 billion industry by 2030 and create thousands of jobs.

To reach its potential, what the hemp industry needs most right now, Berard said, is capital investment.

Last month, Berard published a report titled “Seeing the U.S. Industrial Hemp Opportunity — A Pioneering Venture for Investors and Corporations Driven by Environmental, Social and Financial Concerns” in which he lays out the case for investment.

It’s as if Berard, with this report, is waving a giant flag, trying to attract the eyes of investors, saying, “Look over here. Look at all this opportunity.”

Berard likens the burgeoning American hemp industry to a developing country.

“There is no capital. People don’t want to finance. This is too risky. And I was like, OK, this sounds like something for me,” he said.

As an impact investor who manages funds specializing in agro-processing companies, Berard now has his sights set on the U.S. hemp industry, which he believes has great economic value as well as social and environmental benefits.

He spent many years developing investment in the agriculture infrastructure of developing countries in Latin America and Africa, and said the hemp industry feels similar.

“It is very nascent and it is a very fragmented sector. You have pioneers and trailblazers inventing or reinventing the field after 80 years of prohibition,” he said. “So I feel very familiar with this context.”

On this week’s hemp podcast, Berard talks about the report and the opportunities available to investors in the feed, fiber and food sectors of the hemp industry.

Building an industry around an agricultural commodity takes time, he said. According to the report, “The soybean industry took about 50 years to become firmly established, from the first USDA imports in 1898 to the U.S. being the top worldwide producer in the 1950s.”

Berard has a plan to accelerate the growth of the hemp industry and sees a four-pillar approach to attract investment.

First, he said, the foundation of the industry is the relationship between farmers and processors at the local level.

Second, he said the industry needs what he calls a “federating body” that will represent it, foster markets and innovations, and reduce risk for its members and investors.

The third pillar is “collaboration with corporations that aim to secure or diversify their supply chains with sustainable products and enhance their ESG credentials. This will be key to funding the industry and creating markets,” he said.

The fourth pillar is investment. Lots of it. Over $1.6 billion over seven years. This money will come from government, corporations, individual investors, and philanthropic donors.

The 75-page report goes into detail about the hemp industry, its environmental and social impact, and the opportunities available to investors.

Read the report here: Seeing the U.S. Industrial Hemp Opportunity

Also on this episode, we check in with hemp and bison farmer Herb Grove from Brush Mountain Bison in Centre County, PA, where he grew 50 acres of hemp grain. We’ll hear about harvest and dry down and crushing the seed for oil and cake.